Capture Florida's Storms: Donate Your Photos to State Archives Today!

Pinellas County, Florida, USA - The sun shines bright over Florida, but behind the warmth of each day lies a complex narrative of weather events, disasters, and resilient recovery efforts. The State Archives of Florida is eager to weave this story into a new collection titled „Weather, Disaster, and Recovery.“ Secretary of State Cord Byrd has opened the door for residents to contribute their personal photographs, preserving slices of history that reflect community experiences during these pivotal moments.

This initiative isn’t just a casual call; it’s an invitation for all Floridians to play a part in documenting and preserving local stories. Individuals can send in their original photographs of various weather events and recovery efforts, no matter how big or small. Interested parties are encouraged to connect via email at Floridamemory@dos.fl.gov to discuss their donations and how they can help keep these important community memories alive.

How to Contribute

The Florida Photographic Collection is quite flexible regarding the formats of contributions. Whether it’s contemporary digital photographs or a treasure of older print photographs and negatives, all are welcome. Images taken with mobile devices are acceptable too, provided they’re of good quality, hitting that minimum resolution of 5 megapixels. Once a photo is sent as an attachment, donors will receive a Deed of Gift form that formally transfers ownership and usage rights of the image to the State Archives. It’s good to know that donors will be credited in the records of the collection, ensuring their contributions are recognized when accessed by researchers.

But that’s not all. Alongside photographs, the Archives are keen on gathering a variety of significant records—including original letters, diaries, financial documents, sound recordings, and more—each revealing different facets of Florida’s rich tapestry of history. According to the Department of State, it’s essential to consider the completeness, condition, and uniqueness of these materials when thinking of making a contribution. The Archives have strict evaluation criteria, ensuring only the most valuable records are preserved.

Preserving Our Legacy

There’s something to be said for preserving family and community history through tangible items like photographs, letters, and diaries. The State Archives collects historically significant records, relying solely on donations to maintain their collections. They don’t purchase items, nor do they appraise donations for tax purposes. Anyone interested in donating can expect their materials to be stored in optimal archival conditions, ready to support historical research from various fields.

The beauty of this initiative lies not just in preservation but in the storytelling that unfolds through these contributions. While not every donated item may appear on the Florida Memory website, all will find a home in the Florida Photographic Collection, ensuring researchers have access to a wealth of information.

So, whether it’s a snapshot of a fierce storm or a moment of community spirit during recovery, Floridians have a unique opportunity to give their pieces of the past a rightful place in history. To dive deeper into contributing or for specific instructions on donating digital photographs, check out the comprehensive guidelines. Join in this effort to keep Florida’s vibrant history alive for future generations!